Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1887-02-26
THE PENSION OUTRAGE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 81. Is

WAsHINGToN, Feb. 81, 1887.
EDITOR INTELLIGENCER:-T sem
satiOn of the past week on Capitol Hill
was the presidents veto of one of the
most reckless specimens of legislation
that was ever presented to any con-
1.-THE Universal Pension BILL"
Not that his action was surprise to
those who have watched his course in
regard to pension matters, for he has
shown, on several occasions already
that he has the courage to do his duty,
but, as Representative Springer said,
no man ever filled the Office of presi-
dent before Mr.. Cleveland, who would
have had the boldness to veto such
bill, which had passed both houses OF
congress by more than two thirds ma
iority, and which had so powerful a
sentiment at the back of it.
Echoes OF cougratulation have been
coming back to the president from all
parts of the country, and he has heard
plenty of censure from the mere par
tisans who have learned to regard the
war as their personal legacy. But he
will have the praise, approval and
gratitude OF the great mass of the peo-
pie of all sections, the tax-paying civil
ian and the honest veteran, of all true
patriots both of the north and south.
The reading of the presidents mes
sage explaining his reasons tor the veto
commanded close attention from the
house of representatives. Many con-
gressmen are now unable to say what
their future action will be until they
have heard from their constituents. Ii
IS thought, however, that the bill can
not be passed over the veto, for MANY
members who voted for it have been
surprised since at the condemnation il
received from the people among all
parties.
Should this remarkable pension bill
become law, it would give a pension
to every ex-Union soldier who can not
earn the sort of living he would like
in other words, to every man who was
IN the federal army and is yet alive. 1t
would give pension to every drunk
ard and shiftless loafer who was in the
army for ninety days, even if his dis
ability is due solely to his own vices.
Ii would give premium to medicancy
and indolence, tor nothing convinces a
man that he is unable towork ike show
ing him that he can live without it.
And then think of the millions after
millions Of the peoples money that such
bill would waste. 1t would double
the pension burden of the United
States, makingit $3.50, 100000 year.
1t would make the roll call of pension
ers larger than the federal army ever
was and four times as large as the
whole standing army of England.
The republican members OF congress
have made but little comment OIL the
subject. The veto message seems to
have taken their breath. Representa-
tive Stalnecker, of New York, thinks
the message is the ablest state paper of
Mr.. Cleveland's term. Said he, alt
takes up the bill section by section, and
just tears it to tattt rs. In stating his
reasons for the veto, he has built a
fort around him which it will be pretty
difficult to Storm"
A western congressman, who was
speaking of the presidents courage
said, "My admiration for him was
never great until now. He has turned
his face against sentiment before
which all parties have bowed, and if
he is s.s;ss..::.:nca 6y cohgtass, this Incl
dent mays bei ssssipasa ing ainfe'dfis
popular re action agsisss the abuse 2. e.
the whole pension business,
Another enthusiast over the presi
lents pluck said, alt is the greatest
and the best thing that Cleveland ever
did. 1t requh ed Just such man as he
10 put a firm foot down against a sys-
TEN of legislation which threatened to
swamp isgovernment." Representa-
tive Oates, of Alabama, remarked that
this veto would make the south solid
again.
Indeed there was no limit 10 this
pension business and there appeared 10
be nobody with courage enough to say
where it should stop. OF course the
president mas not fixed final limit 10
this kind of pernicious legislation, but
he has shown himself equal to the sit.
uation. He has drawn the attention
OF the country to the abuse in such a
way that the people who pay the taxes
will begin to think it over.
II he had signed this pauper pension
bill, he would doubtless have becn call
ed upon during the year to sign a sup
Elementary bill-a bill pensioning all
men who wanted to enlist in the teder-
al army, but who were phy ysically una
BILE or needed at home by dependent
families. Why not? 1t all men who
enlisted, and who want more for sup
port than their present incomes, are
entitled to pensions, why should not
all men be equally deserving of pen
slons who wanted to enlist and could
uot2